Marcus DiNitto

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The U.S. soccer team begins a series of three friendlies in preparation for the 2014 World Cup as a sizable favorite Tuesday night against Azerbaijan in San Francisco (10 p.m. ET, ESPN2).

The LVH SuperBook opened the U.S. at -600 on the three-way result. If you, like most bettors, have a distaste for laying such a big price, you can back the Americans at even-money at -2 goals.

The total is 3 goals (UNDER -125), and bettors should consider that with guys competing for starting spots along the backline, the defensive intensity figures to be dialed up for the U.S.

Writes the Associated Press, “Nobody knows how the foursome will look for the team's World Cup opener June 16 against Ghana in Natal, yet coach Jurgen Klinsmann will get a glimpse during an exhibition against Azerbaijan on Tuesday night at Candlestick Park. He has several choices for each defensive spot.”

Omar Gonzalez tweaked his left knee during a May 3 game with the Los Angeles Galaxy against Colorado, and if he’s not fit, Klinsmann may pair Geoff Cameron, who plays right back for Stoke City in the Premier League, with Matt Besler in the middle.

Fabian Johnson or Timmy Chandler might play right back against Ghana, while DaMarcus Beasley could be on the left as he looks to become the first American to play in four World Cups.

Another subplot Tuesday night in San Francisco: Per the San Jose Mercury News, Klinsmann was on three World Cup teams coached by Azerbaijan manager Berti Vogts, who was an assistant when Germany won the World Cup in 1990 in Italy. Vogts, one of the best defenders in German history, will serve as an adviser to Klinsmann and scout the Americans' upcoming World Cup opponents. He has also coached Scotland and Nigeria.

Following the Azerbaijan match, the U.S. plays Turkey on Sunday, June 1 in Harrison, N.J. (2 p.m. ET, ESPN 2) and Nigeria on Saturday, June 7 in Jacksonville (6 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Here are odds from the LVH for U.S.- Azerbaijan and Wednesday night’s Mexico-Israel match.